Over the last few years I’ve had the same conversation with MSP owners dozens of times.
It usually starts with a variation of the same question:
“We’re still growing, so why do people keep telling us our business model is under threat?”
It’s a fair question.
Most MSPs are not seeing clients disappear overnight. The demand for technology remains strong. Microsoft 365 continues to expand. Security requirements continue to increase. Businesses still need trusted advisers to help them navigate increasingly complex technology environments.
So why the concern?
Because I believe many MSPs are measuring the health of their business using indicators that are becoming less relevant.
That belief is what led me to write Is the Traditional MSP and TSP Business Model Becoming Obsolete? The report examines the growing gap between providers that are adapting to AI, automation and changing customer expectations, and those that are still relying on assumptions that worked a decade ago.
The question isn’t whether MSPs survive
One of the biggest misunderstandings in the market today is the idea that MSPs are somehow disappearing.
I don’t believe that completely.
In fact, I believe businesses will need trusted technology partners more than ever.
What I do think is disappearing is the value attached to many traditional activities that MSPs have historically relied upon.
Routine administration is becoming increasingly automated.
Security expectations are rising.
Clients are becoming more outcome focused.
AI is changing how work is performed inside both customer organisations and service providers.
The real question is not whether MSPs survive.
The real question is whether the way many MSPs currently operate remains commercially attractive over the next decade.
That distinction matters.
Why I decided to research the issue properly
There is no shortage of opinions about AI and the future of managed services.
Unfortunately, there is also no shortage of hype.
I wanted something different.
I wanted evidence.
I wanted current financial benchmarks, analyst forecasts, industry data, acquisition trends and market observations pulled together into a single document that leaders could use to make strategic decisions. The publication is positioned as an evidence-based strategic report focused on AI, automation, platform shifts and their impact on MSPs and TSPs. [directorci…umroad.com]
Most importantly, I wanted a resource that challenged both sides of the argument.
The report doesn’t simply assume every traditional provider is doomed. Nor does it assume technology will magically solve every business problem.
Instead, it looks at what is actually happening in the market and asks a more practical question:
“What would a successful MSP look like in 2030?”
What readers will gain
When I speak with MSP owners, many are wrestling with the same strategic challenges:
- How does AI affect our service model?
- What happens when automation reduces labour requirements?
- How should we price services in the future?
- Where does Microsoft Copilot fit?
- What capabilities should we invest in now?
- How do we increase the value of our business?
Those are boardroom questions, not technical questions.
The report explores these issues and examines why security, AI-enabled services, automation and outcome-focused engagements are becoming increasingly important growth areas. It also discusses transformation approaches and includes a practical action framework aimed at helping providers prepare for the future. [directorci…umroad.com]
As someone who spends a large part of my time helping organisations get ready for Microsoft 365 Copilot, I see a similar pattern everywhere.
Technology is no longer the difficult part.
Change is.
The providers that learn how to guide customers through governance, security, productivity and AI adoption will have an advantage that goes well beyond technical expertise.
This report is really about decisions
At its core, this publication is not a technology report.
It is a business strategy report.
It is designed for MSP owners, technology service providers, Microsoft partners, consultants and investors who want a clearer view of where the industry is heading and what actions may be required to remain competitive. [directorci…umroad.com]
If you already believe everything is fine, the report may challenge your assumptions.
If you are worried about the future, the report may give you a clearer framework for evaluating your options.
Either way, my goal was to provide a practical, evidence-based resource that helps leaders make better decisions during a period of significant industry change.
Because the biggest risk facing most MSPs today is not AI.
It’s assuming tomorrow will look enough like yesterday that no meaningful change is required.
If you’re serious about understanding where managed services may be heading over the next decade, I believe this report will be a worthwhile investment.
Learn more here: Is the Traditional MSP and TSP Business Model Becoming Obsolete?
CIAOPS 